In a recent
poll of 230 European corporate travel managers, almost one third (30 per cent)
chose Europe as one of three territories they believe pose the highest risk to
their travellers.
The question asked, ‘Which
territories do you believe present the highest threat to your travellers?’ Each
buyer was asked to nominate three from a drop-down list. The results were as
follows:
· 61% Middle East and North Africa
· 43% West Africa
· 34% Central Africa
· 33% South America
· 30% Europe
· 17% South Asia
· 9% Central Asia
When asked which territories
they had either stopped – or planned to stop – sending travellers to, the top
three responses were Middle East and North Africa (36 per cent), Central Africa
(30 per cent) and West Africa (25 per cent), while 7 per cent said Europe.
Terrorism was cited as the number one fear driving
this behaviour by over half of travel managers (56 per
cent). This
was followed by civil/political unrest (18 per cent),
general safety concerns including crime (13 per cent), gun
control (2 per cent) and Islamophobia (1 per
cent).
The poll was undertaken by
Business Travel Summit Amsterdam, which takes place 26-27 September at the
city’s RAI Conference Centre.
The survey also revealed that,
despite 84 per cent of travel managers claiming they see the duty of care for travellers
as their responsibility, only 78 per cent could confirm they have a traveller
risk strategy. 7 per cent do not know whether one exists for their
organisation.
Of those organisations who do
have a traveller risk strategy, more than half (52 per cent) include extra
consideration for solo women travellers. 27 per cent do the same for LGBTQ
travellers. 64 per cent renew their strategies at least once a year and 40 per
cent include scenario training. For 15 per cent of organisations with a
strategy, that strategy has been in place for less than 12 months.
“It’s not surprising to see
the Middle East and Africa among the territories European travel managers
believe present the highest risk to their travellers, or that some have stopped
sending travellers to those destinations,” said David Chapple, Group Event
Director, Business Travel Summit Amsterdam.
“But, despite the recent
terrorist attacks in London, Paris and Barcelona, it was still a surprise for
me to see Europe on that list. Being wary – and aware – of the risks posed in
all territories is, sadly, simply a sign of the times and that’s why it’s so
important for organisations to have a traveller risk strategy in place.”
The Amsterdam Business Travel Summit brings
together travel managers and buyers from across the Nordic and Benelux
region to explore best practice, the latest trends and innovative solutions. It
takes place 26-27 September 2017 at the city’s RAI Exhibition and Convention
Centre. Buyers can book a free place at www.amsterdam.businesstravel-summit.com/
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